Fire protection automatic sprinkler system



May 2, 1950 R. w. GIESLER 2505,761

FIRE PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Oct. 51, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR 26 25 2,6 gmail f'fnfef/r W ldmmnw, v Quo/.W

ATTORNEYS May 2, 1950 R. W. GIESELER 2505,761

FIRE. PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Oct. 31, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 HTTORNEY` S 2, NSU R. W. GlEsELER 250515761 FIRE PROTECTON AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Oct. 31., 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 IN VEN T0 R mus a!! W fwlw' CDJ- MJW W /JTTORNEYS Patented May 2, 1 950 UNITED S'I`3L'I`115.5` PATENT OFFICE aosnsi FIRE' PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRIN-KLER SYSTEM` Russell -W. Gieseler, Jamestown, N. Y.

Application October`31, 1946, Serial No. 7 06,923

In many localities in the United States, a`

charge is intended to be made by the water supplier for water consumed due to waste, leakage, or to the opening of a small number of sprinkler heads, whereas no charge is intended to `be made for the water consumed when a fire of such gravity occurs as to cause the opening of a substanf tial number of sprinkler heads.

In the usual sprinkler system employed in such localities, a main check valve is placed in the line leading to the sprinkler system, operable to open and permit unmetered large water fiowsof water to pass into the system in case of serious re. In addition, a by-pass metering device isinz'` stalled intended to measure the wasting water flowing through the system when themain check valve is closed. In addition, an alarm valveiis placed at another point on the systemin order to give the alarm in case of either waste, leakage or fire. Such installations incorporate a con.-

siderahle number of valves, control devices and` other mechanisms installed as separate and im-` dividual Operating units.

At present, the owners of many small stores and other businesses which need fire-,protection in the form of a sprinkler system, and who would like to take advantage of the reduced fire insurance rates which are in effect when such a system is installed, find themselves `i'inancially unable to install a sprinkler system because of the high cost of the various complicated valves, devices and mechanisms necessary to the efiicient iunctioning of the system.

It will be obvious that the smaller the installation, the higher will be the proportionate cost of the various valves and control devices,

in comparison with the piping, sprinkler heads and other component parts ofithe system, since the number of valves and devices required Will be the same no matter how many sprinkler heacls are attached. to the system, and consequently, in modest size systems, the cost, per sprinkler head, to install these various `separate valves anddevices may well be prohibitive. Further, the fiow control devices in systems hereto-foreusedido'not accurately and reliably insure the metering of onlyfintended, flows `in accordance with the terms of ;the waterfsupply contract.

An. object of thisinvention is to provide an improved fire protection automatic. sprinkler system, particularly designed to permit accurate and reliable metering of leakage and waste flows, or flowsV less: than a predetermined amount necessitated by serious fire, which can be economically installed and operated.

Another object of this invention is to provide animproved sprinkler system `which can be eco nomically and practically installed and used in smallbusiness and residentialproperties, where automatic sprinkler systems asheretofore designed could not economically be used, thereby enablinssmall business and residential proper:`

tiesto take advantage lof a lower fire insurance rateandat the same. time reduce the fire hazard thegproncrties and thexcommunity.

further object`` of this invention is to pro-V` vide an improved sprinkler system for fire protection which delicately Sensitive to environmentconditions at the pointof connection, which embodies into a. single economical unit a duplex alarm valve, a maiocheck valve accurately andf rcllablymovable-into Open fiow positiononly in caeyofferious' fire, and a by-pass valve with meter connection for accurately and reliably` measuring leakage and other meterable flows `intcnded to be measured.

Other objects and advantages of` this inven-` tion will becomevapparent as the descriptionpr ceeds.

Inaccordance with this invention, a fully automaticfire protection sprinkler system is pro: viclcd wherein water `entcrs the systemzfrom a main conduit wh'iclris connected to a mam valve housine.` valve housng contains a mam intalse check valve wloe Operation is delicately` controlledby a carefully predetermined weight.

so that the main check valvewmoves to open position only-in case of a fire inyolving the open ing of more than a predetermined number of sprinkler heads. ThllS no water enter sprinkler system through this accuratelyweightedchel'valve until the -headinthe systemabove the valve has been reduced to a predeterminedl` point caused by the opening of more than a pre.-

determinel number of sprinller heads. The Weight controlling the `operation of the main checkyalve is selectedin accordance with' the pressureon the water main at the point of installation asncomparedwto the reduced pressure ofiwater out ilow` into the system` through the valve housingl when a predetermined number of sprinkler heads arexopcned.

The mainyalvehousing also. contains a *by-pass;`

valve.V which is connected tothedischarge end of :a short='by-.pass'1ine: whose water entry end is connected to the water 'main or to the main the valve housing immediately below the main intake check valve. A water measuring meter is situated in the by-pass line to measure the fiow therethrough. Slight reduction in the water pressure in the open end of the valve housing caused by line leakage, or fiow caused by the opening of a predetermined limited number of sprinkler heads, can be accurately metered and charged against the operator of the property, whereas water fiowing through the carefully weighted main check valve, which opens only under predetermined fire conditions, would not be metered, in accordance with the requirements of the water supplier.

Since it is to the interest of the operator of the premises to avoid meter charges as far as possible and accordingly avoid water waste and leakage, this invention contemplates the provision of an alarm system designed to operate when either the main check valve, or the by-pass valve, or both of them, are in open position. The single valve housing containing the weighted main check valve and the by-pass valve, also contains a duplex alarm valve connected by a water line to the Operating mechanism of an alarm bell or signal system conveniently located to notify personnel of water fiow through the sprinkler system. The duplex alarm valve' receives the water from the valve unit housing. The main check valve closure and the by-pass valve closure each have associated therewith a secondary closure element which moves into and out of seating position with the closure seats of the duplex alarm valve simultaneously with the opening and closing movement of the main check valve closure or the by-pass closure respectively.

Thus there is embodied in a single valve unit housing, the main check valve, the by-pass Valve and the duplex alarm valve arranged in a manner to provide a compact unit which, is economical to manufacture, and which performs all the functions of the several separately constructed and installed valves and devices heretofore provided. This improved multiple valve unit is also constructed so as to permit the repair of water meters and the like without impairing the function of the sprinkler system as a whole in case of fire.

It will be further appreciated that the water pressure in the community mains will vary depending upon the elevation of the property where the sprinkler system is installed, and the elevation of the installed alarm meter. Systems now in use do not take into account pressure Variations at different property sites, so that a main check valve installed on a low pressure main would not open until a relatively large fiow of water is passing through the sprinkler heads of the system. Thus a relatively large volume of water may flow through the metering by-pass line, which should not have been metered, but should have flowed through an open main check valve.

Conversely, if the property is located on a high pressure main, the main check valve would open for a relatively small fiow of water passing through the sprinkler system, which small fiow should have passed through the metering by-pass line. This invention makes provision for a variable weighting device which controls the operation of the main intake check valve, which device has an accurately gauged and determined weight, which will delicately resist opening of the main check valve until the point is reached where an exact and intended amount of water fiow will properly open the main check valve. The weighting device, which is weighted to the conformed circumstances of the installation, may be protected against tampering by the water supplier with a 'tamper proof cover.

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved alarm sprinkler system, the building in which it is installed being diagrammatically illustrated;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of a main operting mechanism of the system;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevaticnal view of the improved multiple purpose valve assembly, with meter by-pass attachment;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section of the multiple purpose valve assembly, this section being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a Vertical cross-section of the valve assembly showing the main check valve and the by-pass check valve in closed position, the closed position thereof being illustrated by dotted lines, this section being taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the weight arm associated with the main check valve clapper illustrated in Fig. 4, as the same appears when viewed along line -ii of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-section of the multiple purpose valve assembly in which a weight block of carefully determined weight is mounted on and supported by the main check valve clapper;

Fig. 8 is a Vertical cross-sectional view of the valve assembly as the same appears when viewed along line 8-8 of Fig. 7, this view showing the check valves in open position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through the main check valve and associated clapper as the same appears when viewed along line lEI- of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the main check Valve showing the manner in which the weight block is attached thereto as the same appears when viewed along line Il-Il of Fig. 7.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Views of the drawings and specification.

There is illustrated in Fig. 1 this improved sprinkler system as it may be installed in a typical six story building, having an outside wall 2|, a roof 22 and a series of ;doors 23. The improved sprinkler system as shown in Flgs. l and 2 generally comprises an intake conduit 3 leading from a water main i, and which makes connection with the valve housing 6. The conduit 3 is fitted with a gate valve 2 by means of which water may be prevented from fiowing into the system when it is shut down for repairs. A by-pass conduit 8 leads from the base of the valve housing 6 to a water meter id. The by-pass conduit 8 is provided with a gate valve 9 so that the meter IO may be removed for inspection or repair without interrupting the flow of water into the main valve housing 6 through the main intake 21 in case of fire when the meter is removed.

Water flowing through the-water meter Ill is returned to the system at the valve housing 6 5. through a conduit' Ii. From the valvezhoiising another conduit IZ leads to an alarm mechanism which may be` either a water meter or a hydroi static switch, or both.` For purposes of i'llustration, there is shown in Fig'. 2 a combination of` a water motor i3 attached to an outsidergong M; and a hydrostatic switch 15',V which actuates an electrical alarm W whentripped by water pressure in the conduit` [2; Theiconduit 12 mayinclude a retarding chamber IT, so that false alarms will not be given in case of water hammer.` From the valve housing 6 an outlet conduit` |8'connects with distributor pipes 19, to which are attached sprinkler heads 2B at the various fioors.

The improved multiple purpose valve assembly consists of a valve housing 6 fitted with fianges ifii and 24' by means of which a connection can be made with the main conduit 3 andthe outlet conduit E8 respectively. The valve housing 6` is tted with a removable plate 25 by means of a plurality of bolts 26, thus affording easyaccess to the interior of the housing for repa-irs and adjustments. The valve housing t is provided with a main intaie port 21, a main outlet port 28, a bypass outlet port 2:'3 through which water may iow to the water meter iii, a byf'pass intake port 36 through which water passing through the meter may reenter the main valve housing 6, and a bleeder outlet port 3|, through which water may flow from the valve housing 6 to actuate the alarm mechanism 13 and id and the alarm mechanism IS;

The valve housing 6 is also provided with port 43, through which the water in `the system may be drained through a conduit 12, when it is desired to make repairsin thelsystem. The conduit i is fittedwith a gate valve W; which is opened when it is desired to drain the system. Gate valve 2 must be closed when drainingpto prevent flow of water from the main i into the system. For inspection purposes, two other ports 4.4 and are provided, located above and below the main intake check valve, through which water may fiowthrough conduits 65 and fl'to pressure gauges fit and lit' respectively.

At the point where the main intake port` 21 enters the main Chamber 35 of the main valve housing, there is provided a valve Seat 31, which is preferabiy of bronze or some similar tough but easily machined metal. `Similarly, at the point where the lay-pass inlet port 3G from the water ineter iii enters the main chamber 36.01? the valve assembly, there is provided a similar but smaller valve seat 38.

The bleeder outlet port 3| isprovided With a hollow semi-spherical cap 32, in which are bored two port holes 33 and M, which are provided with valve seats. The cap 32 is provided with a threaded neck 35 so that a watertight connection may be made with the valve housing 6. This, of course, is merely a preferred exemplification of this detail, since the cap 32 may be welded to the Valve housing ii over the port 3|.

The valve housing 6 contains a fulcrum block 539` upon which the main intake check clapper arm lit] may swing,`and a fulcrum block 4| upon which the by-pass intakercheck clapper arm 42 may swing.

The main checl; valve comprises the clapper arm 40 which is fixed to a stud shaft 41, as by set screw 53. The ends of the- Stud Shaft eX- tend into bearing openings in the paired fulcrum blocks 39,` whereby the clapper arm '40 is free to pivot with a minimum of friction. A closure disc 4B is suitably` fixed to the clapper arm 6 4B`` and is designed to* fit' snugly intol the valve seat 31 when the mam intake check` valve is closed.

In the' form of the invention' shown in Figs. 4 and 5', the closure disc 418 is rigidly fixed tolthe clapper arm 'w as by nut and bolt 52; In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7, land 9, the closure disc 48 is pivotly connected tothe clapper arm 49 whereby the closure disc will adjust itself into a snug sea'ting position with respect to the valve seat 31. This is eifected by providing the closure disc [18 with a pair ofispaced upstanding lugs w anda hingelpin 50 which extends through aligned apertureszin the lugslz and the clapper arm 46).

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the clapper arm llis weighted by a weightdevice which comprises a small diameter rod 54 fixed to and extending from the studshaft i, shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 6. The rod fl extends through a hole in the wall of the valve housing, a water-tight` bearing. Et being provided designed to assure the water-tightiand leak proof seal. A weight or scale arm 55115861- cured to and extends laterally from the pro; jecting end of the rod A weight bucket G3 is snspended from the weight arm. 55. The bucket is weighted with sand or metal shot 619 so that the weight may be delicately and. accurately Controlled. The weight arm 55' should be sufiiciently long to insure adequate.` leverage action and preferably should be approximately the same length as the clapper arm When the main checkvalve is in the fiully= open position as illustrated in Fig. 5, the main check clapper arm 610 rests against a stop 57. It will also be observed that when the main intake check. valve is in the fully open position, the weight arm 58 will also rise in` Cooperation with it, .and the center of gravity of the weight 69 will shift to such an extent that little or no frictional resistance isoifered to thepassage of water through the valve housing 6; but will nevertheless provide suflicient leverage action `to drop the main ihtake check valveintoclosed'position automatically when the iiow ce'ase's.

The weight arm weight receptaclei, and weight l' are protected by acov'er Shell m which is attached to the valve housing by of hinges 1|, and which may be protected against tampering by means of a padlock 86. passed through a staple 8| or by means of a t'amper proof seal. The dimensions of'the` cover shellSTil should be such as to allow freermovement ofithe weight arm 66 when it rises in cooperationixtfith the rising of the main intake clapper arm lit;

In the form of the invention shown in 7 to 10 inclusive, 'a weight block 15., whoseweight is accurately determined, is attached to the main clapper arm fiil and i's,support-ed` thereby. shown more particularly in iFig. 10; the lower face of 'the weight block 'EE- may be `provided'With a recess'cavity 'l shaped to sn'ugly receive the clapper arm e53; A. securing H, extending through an alignedaperture inthe weightblccl iand the clapper arm 40, may be usedfto secure the weight block 'i to theiclapper 'arms `rThe securing pin 'H may beprovi'ded with a `tamper proof seal 78 so that the holding nut T9 cannot be removed from the pin 71, 'or the pin 'If remoyedfrom the weight block-15;withoutleavihg evidence ofA tampering. Thewe'ight blocl: 'll-51 is carefurlly weighted'so as `to-hold the ;closurez disc 48 in its Valve seating v position-until the'lintendefd 76 diiferential on the `oppositesides `of` the valve closure disc is reached, whereupon the clapper arm 40 and the associated closure disc swings into valve opening position.

The by-pass intake check valve comprises a clapper arm 42 hingedly connected to the fulcr'um blocks 4| by means of a pivot bolt 58, upon whichV the clapper arm 42 is free to swing. A closure disc 59 is attached to the clapper arm 42 as by means of a bolt 60. The closure disc 59 is designed to fit snugly against the valve seat 36 when the by-pass intake check valve is in closed position.

The valve housing 6 is provided with a stop 64 against which the clapper 42 rests when in fully open position. The clapper 42 carries an arm extension 6| to which is secured a closure disc 62 by means of a nut and bolt 63. The closure disc 62 is designed to fit securely onto the seat in the port 34 of the alarm cap 32 when the by-pass intake check valve is in the closed position, forming a water-tight connection therewith.

When the system is placed in operation, all pipes are filled with water with the exception of the alarm water line 12. When a leak occurs in the system, or if a permitted limited number of sprinkler heads 20 are opened, the resulting reduced pressure in the valve chamber 36 will cause the by-pass intake clapper 42 to rise, and water will fiow through the by-pass outlet port 29 and by-pass conduit 8 to the meter |0, where the consumption of water is recorded, and thence through the by-pass conduit I I and through the inlet bypass port 30 into valve chamber 36. When the by-pass intake clapper 42 rises, it will be seen that the closure disc 62 covering the alarm bleeder port 34 is also raised, allowing water to fiow into the conduit l2 and thence to alarm devices l3 and l5, and thus cause an alarm to be sounded.

A substantial decrease in the pressure head in the valve chamber 36, due to the opening of a number of sprinkler heads of fire hazard proportions and large enough to cause a fiow of water through the system larger than the intended maximum gallonage per minute to be passed through the meter, will cause the pressure of water in the main intake 21 to lift the main intake check valve closure 48, thus insuring a large supply of water to the fire. The water entering the system through the main intake 21 would usually not be metered.

When it is desired to remove the meter for inspection or repair, the gate valve 9 is closed, thus shutting oif any fiow of water through conduit 8 to the meter |0. When the gate valve 0 is closed, the by-pass check valve will also be in closed position, and thus prevent any back fiow of water from the main chamber 36 into the conduit ll. Hence, in this system, the meter |0 can be removed without any loss of water from the system and the system will remain fully operative in case of fire. It will also be observed that should the by-pass line 8 and l be cut off for repairs, any decrease in head in the valve chamber 36 will cause the pressure in the main intake 21 to force open the main intake check valve and simultaneously disengage the closure disc from the port 33, allowing water to fiow into the conduit 12, and thence to alarm devices |3 and |5, thus insuring an effective alarm under all conditions of operation in the system.

Statistics gathered by fire underwriters indicate that when fires occur in a building protected by an automatic fire protection sprinkler system, the majority are small fires which do not involve the opening of more than three sprinkler heads.

For this reason, water suppliers who insist that the owner of the automatic fire-protection sprinkler system pay for wastage, leakage, and water consumption due to the opening of a small number of sprinkler heads, usually provide in their contracts that the customer shall pay for all fiows up to the amount of flow which would occur when three sprinkler heads are open, the supplier assuming the cost when greater flows occur.

Automatic sprinkler systems as heretofore designed and installed generally fail to function in a manner to accurately efiectuate and make possible the true intent of such a contract.

This invention provides a multiple purpose valve unit which is delicately Sensitive and which is adjusted to accurately divert water up to a predetermined gallonage per minute through the meter, and will direct fiows in excess of such amount to pass through the system unmetered in accordance with the true intent of the water supply contract.

This desirable result is accomplished by weighting'the main valve clapper arm 40 carefully and accurately to effect diversion of an exactly predetermined and permitted maximum gallonage per minute through the by-pass conduits 8 and H and the meter l before the valve closure disc 48 is raised. By thus weighting the main check closure disc 48, fiow through the main check valve is prevented, and all the fiow diverted through the by-pass conduits and II, until suificient differential in water pressure has been built up between that in the main intake port 21 and in the main valve chamber 36 to raise the weighted clapper arm 40. It Will be appreciated that a fiow of water passing through the by-pass circuit will make a diiference in pressure between that in the main intake port 21 and that in the main valve housing 36 proportional to the frictional resistance oifered by the by-pass 8 and Il and the meter [0. It is obvious that the greater the weight applied to the clapper arm 40, the greater Will be the maximum amount of gallonage per minute passing through the by-pass conduits 8 and ll and the meter |0 before the main clapper arm 40 moves to open position.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the amount of weight 69 which should be placed in the weight receptacle 68 may be accurately and easily determined as follows: With gate valve 9 open, so that water may fiow through the by-pass conduits 8 and Il and the meter 10, the required number of sprinkler heads 20, for instance three, are opened, and weights 69 are placed. in the weight bucket 68 until sufiicient weight has been added to maintain the main clapper arm 40 in a closed position. One additional sprinkler head 20 is then opened, and observation is made to determine whether or not the main clapper arm 40 rises. If it does not, weight 69 is removed from the weight bucket 68 until it opens.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. '1 to 10 inclusive, a weight block 15 of the correct weight would be attached to the clapper arm 16 by the inspector. These weight blocks may be 'formed of a solder material which can be added to or subtracted from the main body of weight block so as to vary its weight. By reading pressure gauges 46 and 46', the pressure conditions in the valve housing 6 when three and four sprinkler heads are opened may be readily determined. With such pressure differential readings at hand, an inspector may make use of tables prepared by the manufacturer of these valves, which tables would indicate the proper weight to apply to the clapper arm 49 to thaitain the Valve closure member 48 in closed position when three sprikl'er heacls are open, and to permit opening of the closure member 48 when four sprinkler heads are open. With a little experience, an inspector can quickly determine and sense the correct Weight block to apply to the clapper arm 40. For coverii'ence, the inspector may carry an assortment of weight blocks of indicated varying weight, and suitable to satisfy almost any pressure condition which he may encounter.

After the system has been in use fr sorhe' time. it will be appreciated that due to rusting or other defects in the system, the flow characteristics of the system may change slightly. In such an event, the tests given above may be repeated. and the amount of weight 69 or 15 may easily and accurately be changed to refiect changed conditions in the system.

This improved sprinkler system is simple and sturdy in construction, with a minimum of movable parts requiring attention, and is easy to keep in repair. It is low in cost, and Well adapted for installation in' buildings which up to now have not been protected from fire due to the high cost of installation of systems now ia use.

Whi'e certain novel' features of the invention have been disclose'd herein, and are pointed out in the annexed clailris, it will be understood that various omissions. substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art with-` outdeparting fron''- the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: 4

1. In a fire protection spripkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary Outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, i cluding in combination, a main valve hou'sing connecting said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said valve husin'g for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a by-pass conduit connected to receive water from said main int'ake conduit below said main check valve and connected to discharge the water into the system at the outflow side of said main check valve, said by-pass conduit including as a part thereof a secondary check Valve independent of said main check valve, and a weight device operably connected to the c'lcfs'ur'e" member of said main check valve whereby the opening movement of said -c'losure member may bye Controlled in accordance with a pre'determiried pressure diifere'rtialy existing between the intale' and outlet sid'es of said closure member.

2'. In a fire protection sprinklr system haying a water distribution an'd sprinkler head system supplied b'y a primary outliet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, in`-` cluding in combination, a main valve housing connecting said Outlet co'nduit and main intake conduit, a main check ;valve having a c'losure member` c'ontained within said valve hous'ing for controlling the flow from said' intake conduit to outlet conduit, a` *by-pass cnduit connected to receive water from said main intale conduit below said main check valve' and connected to disch'arge the water into the system at the outflow side4 of said check valve, said by-pass c'onduit including' as a part thereof a secondary' checky'al've idep'endeift of said n'fairi check vzuv'e, aaa a weight device opertiyconncfifi to the closure member of said main check valve wh'ereby'the openigvmoverent of said cl'osure member' may be Vvr'iably contro'ueu in accord: ance with a predetermin'ed pressure differential existingbetween the intake and outlet4 sides of said closure member, said variable weight device including a weighted scale arm exterior to said main yalve housing, and me ns extending through the adjacent wall of said hous'ing for connec`t ing said Scale arm to saidl closure member and operable to retain said closure member in closed positionl until said predetermined pressure dfe' feren'tial is exceeded.

3. In a fire protection sprinkler system hay'- ing a water distribution and sprinkler head` system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which inturn is supplied by a mainintake cohdult, including in combination, a main valve hous'ing connectig said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve hayin'T a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduitl to said outlet conr'uit. a by-pass conduit connected to receive water from said main intake co'nduit blelowsaid main check valve and connected to discharg'e the water into the system at the outflow side of said main check valve. said Icy-pass conduit including as a part thereof a secondary check valve independent of said main check Valve, and a weight device including a weighted sea-le arm operably ,connected` to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the open*-` ing moyement of said closure member may be' Controlled in accordance with a predetermined pressure difierential existingV between the intake` and Outlet sides of said closure member. andV means extending through a wall of said housig for connecting said scale arm` to said closure member, said weighted scale arm being operalble' to retain said closure member in closed position until said prec'etermined pressure differentiall exceeded'.

4. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, including in; combination, a main valve housing connecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit. a main check Valve having a closure member coritaind within said valve housinr for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a by-pass conduit connected to receive Water from said main intake conduit below said main check valve and connected to discharge the water intothe system at the outfiow side of said main check valve, said by-pass cohduit including as a part thereof a secondary check valve independent of said main check valve and a'` water' meter designed to measure and record the volume flow through said by-pass conduit, and a weight device operably connected to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the opene ing movement of said closure member may be' controlled in accordance with apredeterm'ined pressure differential existing between the intake' and outlet sides of said closure member as detere` mined by the intended metered flow throughsaid* by-pass conduit and the intended umetered flow through said main check valve. I i

5. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution an'd sprinkler hedlusystefm supplied by a primary outletconduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, includin'g incmbination, a main `valve housing c6-' necting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said Outlet conduit, a by-pass conduit connected to receive Water from said main intake conduit below said main check valve and connected to discharge the water into the system at the outflow side of said main check valve, said by-pass conduit including as a part thereof a secondary check valve independent of said main check valve and a water meter designed to measure and record the volume flow through said by-pass conduit, and a weight device operably connected to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the opening movement Of said closure member may be controlled in accordance With a predetermined pressure diiferential existing between the intake and Outlet sides of said closure member as determined by the intended metered fiow through said by-pass conduit and the intended unmetered fiow through said main check valve, said weight device including a weighted scale arm exterior to said main valve housing, and means extending through a wall of said housing for connecting said scale arm to said closure member and operable to retain said closure member in closed position until said predetermined pressure differential is exceeded.

6. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a Water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary Outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, including in combination, a main valve housing connecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a hinged closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said Outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve, a weight device operably connected to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be Controlled in accordance With a predetermined pressure diiferential existing on the intake and Outlet side of said closure member, said weight device including a weighted scale arm, a rotatable shaft extending through a wall of said housing for connecting said scale arm to said hinged closure member and operable to retain said closuremember in closed position until said predetermined pressure differential is exceeded, and a cover closure for said weighted scale arm having means for sealing same in closed position.

7. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler system supplied by a primary Outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, and an alarm device operably connected to a water line, said system including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing connecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the fiow from said intake conduit to said Outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary-check valve within said valve housing, a bleeder port in said valve housing having a fiow connection to the water line of said alarm device, and a closure element associated with the closure close and open said -bleeder port with the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said main check valve.

8. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler system supplied by a primary Outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, and an alarm device operably connected to a water line, said system including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing oonnecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained Within said Valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said Outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve within said valve housing, a bleeder port in said valve housing having a fioW connection to the water line of said alarm device, and a closure element associated with the closure member of said secondary check valve operative to close and open said bleeder port with the closing and Opening movement of the closure member for said secondary check valve.

9. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution andsprinkler system supplied by a primary Outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, and an alarm device operably connected to a water line, including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing connecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the fiow from said intake conduit to said Outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve within said valve housing, a bleeder Outlet in said valve housing having a flow connection to the Water line of said alarm device, said bleeder Outlet having a pair of Outlet ports, a closure element associated with the closure member of said main check valve operative to close One of said bleeder ports with the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said main check valve, and a closure element associated with said secondary check valve operative to close said second bleeder port With the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said secondary check valve.

10. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler system supplied by a primary Outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, and an alarm device operably connected to a water line, including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing connecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said Valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said Outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve within said valve housing, said by-pass conduit having a water meter for measuring the flow therethrough, a bleeder Outlet in said valve housing having a fiow connection to the water line of said alarm device, said bleeder Outlet having a pair of Outlet ports, a closure element associated with the closure member of said main check valve operative to close one of said bleeder .member of said main check valve operative (15 ports with the closing and Opening .movement of the closure member for said main check valve, and a closure element associated with said secondary check valve operative to close said second bleeder port with the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said secondary check valve.

ll. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler system supplied by a primary Outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, said system including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing connecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a secondary check Valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve within said valve housing, said by-pass conduit having a water meter for measuring the fiow therethrough, and a weight device operably connected to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be controlled in accordance with a predetermined pressure diiferential existing between the intake and outlet sides of said closure member.

12. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a, water distribution and sprinkler system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, and an alarm device operably connected to a water line, said system including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing connecting said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said Valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve within said valve housing, a bleeder port in said valve housing having a flow connection to the water line of said alarm device, a closure element associated with the closure member of said main check valve operative to close and open said bleeder port with the closing and opening movement of this closure member for said main check valve, and a weight device operably connected to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be controlled in accordance With a predetermined pressure diiferential existing between the intake and outlet sides of said closure member.

13. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, and an alarm device operably connected to a water line, said system including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing connecting said Outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve within said valve housing, said lay-pass conduit having a water meter for ineasuring the flow therethrough, a pair of bleeder ports in said valve housing having a flow connection to the water line of said alarm device, a closure element associated with the closure member of said main check valve operative to close one of said bleeder ports with the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said main check valve, a, closure element associated With said secondary check valve to close said second bleeder port with the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said secondary check valve, and a weight device operably connected to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the r opening movement of said closure member may be controlled in accordance with a predetermined pressure diiferential existing between the intake and outlet sides of said closure member.

14. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, and an alarm device operably connected to a water line, said system including in combination, a plural purpose valve housing connecting said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a main check valve having a closure member contained within said Valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said Outlet conduit, a secondary check valve within said valve housing having a closure member therefor, a by-pass conduit leading from said main intake conduit to said secondary check valve within said valve housing, said by-pass conduit having a water meter for measuring the flow therethrough and a shut-off valve located on the by-pass conduit between the main intake conduit and the meter, a pair of bleeder ports in said valve housing having a flow connection to the Water line of said alarm device, a closure element associated with the closure member of said main check valve operative to close and open one of said bleeder ports with the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said main check Valve, a closure element associated with the closure member of said secondary check valve operative to close and open the second bleeder port with the closing and opening movement of the closure member for said secondary check valve, and a weight device operably connected to the closure member of said main check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be controlled in accordance with a predetermined pressure diiferential existing between the intake and outlet sides of said closure member, said weight device including a weighted scale arm, and means extending through a wall of said housing for connecting said scale arm to said closure member, said weighted scale arm being operable to retain said closure member in closed position until said predetermined pressure diferential is exceeded.

RUSSELL W. GIESELER.

REFEREN CES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,270,389 Eitapenc June 25,` 1918 1,414,723 Brumbaugh May 2, 1922 1,822,654 Hamilton Sept. 8, 1931 

